Clinical nutrition : official journal of the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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Multicenter Study
Decline in nutritional status is associated with prolonged length of stay in hospitalized patients admitted for 7 days or more: A prospective cohort study.
Reducing length of stay (LOS) is a priority for hospitals but patients' decline in nutritional status may have a negative impact. The aims of the study were to assess the change in nutritional status during hospitalization and determine if its decline is associated with prolonged LOS. ⋯ In-hospital decline in nutritional status as assessed by SGA or weight loss ≥5% is associated with prolonged LOS independently of factors reflecting demographics, living accommodations and disease severity. This suggests a role for nutrition care in reducing LOS.